Last updated: June 11, 2026 · 8-minute read
What Are the Best Treats for Diabetic Dogs? The Short Answer
The best treats for a diabetic dog are single-ingredient, high-protein chews with little to no sugar or starch — exactly what BSC specializes in. Our chews are 100% real meat, fully digestible, contain no rawhide, and are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. Because they hold no added grains, sugars, or fillers, low-glycemic protein chews like bully sticks, beef tendons, and trachea give a diabetic dog something satisfying to chew without spiking blood glucose. Always confirm portion sizes with your veterinarian as part of your dog's overall meal plan.
Key takeaways
- Protein over carbs: Single-ingredient meat chews have a negligible glycemic impact, unlike biscuits and starchy "soft" treats.
- Read the label: Avoid treats listing sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, wheat, or "vegetable glycerin" near the top.
- Count the calories: Treats should stay under 10% of your diabetic dog's daily calories to keep insulin dosing predictable.
- Consistency matters: Feed treats at the same times each day so your dog's glucose curve stays stable.
- BSC chews fit the bill: Our bully sticks, tendons, trachea, and cheek rolls are single-ingredient, fully digestible, and free of rawhide and additives.
What Makes a Treat Safe for a Diabetic Dog?
A diabetic dog's body can't regulate blood sugar on its own, so every treat needs to support — not sabotage — the glucose stability your vet is working to achieve. The safest treats share three traits: they're high in quality protein, very low in sugar and rapidly-digestible starch, and free of artificial preservatives that can complicate an already-managed diet. Single-ingredient animal chews check all three boxes because they're simply meat. BSC's 6-inch standard bully sticks and regular beef tendons are pure muscle and connective tissue — no binders, no coatings, no sugar.
Which BSC Chews Work Best for Diabetic Dogs?
Long-lasting, single-ingredient chews are ideal because they deliver enrichment and dental benefit with minimal glycemic load. The right pick depends on your dog's size and chewing style.
| Chew | Best for | Why it suits diabetic dogs |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Inch Standard Bully Sticks | Small to medium dogs | Single-ingredient beef muscle, no sugar or starch |
| 12-Inch Monster Bully Sticks | Large, power chewers | Long-lasting protein with negligible glycemic impact |
| Regular Beef Tendons | Moderate chewers | Lean, collagen-rich, naturally low in fat |
| Beef Trachea Tubes | Seniors & gentle chewers | Soft, lean, and a natural source of glucosamine |
| Cow Ears | Light, quick snacks | Thin, low-fat, single-ingredient |
| Beef Cheek Rolls | Rawhide alternative | Fully digestible, no chemicals, no sugar |
Browse the full range in our natural dog treats and chews collection.
What Treats Should Diabetic Dogs Avoid?
Steer clear of anything built around sugar or fast carbs: commercial biscuits, "semi-moist" treats preserved with sugar and glycerin, jerky basted in honey or molasses, yogurt drops, and most fruit-flavored chews. These cause sharp glucose spikes that make insulin dosing a moving target. Rawhide is also worth avoiding for a different reason — it's poorly digestible and a choking and blockage risk. Every BSC chew is no rawhide, fully digestible, and free of the sugars and chemicals that diabetic dogs can't handle.
How Many Treats Can a Diabetic Dog Have Per Day?
The guiding rule is the 10% rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily calories, with the other 90% coming from a consistent, vet-approved diet. Consistency is as important as quantity — feeding the same treats at the same times keeps the glucose curve predictable. Use this rough serving guide, then confirm with your vet.
| Dog weight | Approx. daily calories | ~10% treat budget | Suggested chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 lb | ~400 kcal | ~40 kcal | Cow ear or ½ beef tendon |
| 20–50 lb | ~700 kcal | ~70 kcal | 6-inch bully stick or beef tendon |
| 50–90 lb | ~1,100 kcal | ~110 kcal | Trachea tube or beef cheek roll |
| 90+ lb | ~1,400 kcal | ~140 kcal | 12-inch monster bully stick |
Can You Make Homemade Treats for a Diabetic Dog?
Yes — a simple, single-protein baked treat lets you control exactly what goes in. This recipe uses lean meat and fiber-rich pumpkin with no added sugar, making small, low-glycemic training-sized bites. Always introduce new foods gradually and clear the recipe with your vet first.
Low-Sugar Lean Protein Bites
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup cooked, shredded lean chicken or turkey with ½ cup plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) and 1 egg.
- Stir in ½ cup oat or coconut flour a little at a time until the mixture forms a firm, shapeable dough.
- Roll the dough thin and cut into small, training-sized pieces, then arrange them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm and dry, cool completely, and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For days when you want a no-prep, longer-lasting option, reach for a single-ingredient chew from our bully sticks collection instead.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bully sticks safe for diabetic dogs?
Yes. Bully sticks are single-ingredient beef muscle with no sugar or starch, so they have a negligible effect on blood glucose. Count them toward your dog's daily treat calories and supervise chewing as you would with any treat.
What treats won't raise my diabetic dog's blood sugar?
Pure protein chews — bully sticks, beef tendons, trachea, and cheek rolls — have essentially no glycemic impact because they contain no carbohydrates. Avoid biscuits, jerky with added sugar, and fruit-based treats.
Can diabetic dogs have peanut butter or fruit treats?
Small amounts of unsweetened peanut butter or low-glycemic berries are occasionally fine, but they add carbs and calories. Single-ingredient meat chews are a safer everyday choice. Always check with your vet.
How do I read a treat label for a diabetic dog?
Look for a short ingredient list led by a named meat, and avoid sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, wheat, and vegetable glycerin. The fewer the ingredients, the easier it is to predict the glucose response.
How many treats can a diabetic dog have each day?
Keep treats under 10% of total daily calories and feed them at consistent times. Use the serving guide above as a starting point and adjust with your veterinarian.
Are dental chews good for diabetic dogs?
Single-ingredient natural chews like trachea and bully sticks support dental health through mechanical scraping without the sugars found in many manufactured dental treats. They're a smart two-in-one for diabetic dogs.
Is rawhide okay for a diabetic dog?
No. Rawhide is poorly digestible and poses choking and blockage risks for any dog. BSC chews are 100% rawhide-free and fully digestible.
Should I talk to my vet before changing treats?
Always. Diabetes management is individualized, and your vet can tell you how new treats fit your dog's insulin schedule and calorie targets.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 13, 2026 20:06
